Lottery winner fined for clearing on San Juan

Washington state regulators have fined a property owner $79,000 for illegal clearing sensitive shoreline on San Juan Island.

The Department of Ecology last week issued two penalties to Orca Dreams LLC for illegally cutting down at least 80 trees and allowing polluting material to enter False Bay.

KUOW-reports that Orca Dreams was formed by Dave Honeywell, a Virginia man who won a $217 million Powerball lottery last year. He plans to develop the stretch of shoreline into his retirement home and family compound.

Friday Harbor lawyer Stephanie Johnson O'Day is representing Honeywell and his wife. She says they accept responsibility for their contractor clearing more brush than they wanted. She says the couple will appeal the fine.